1.1This specification defines the minimum requirements for agencies engaged in inspections and testing performance in accordance with ASTM standards for factory built building components and assemblies.

1.2The criteria in this specification are provided for assessing the competence of an agency to properly perform designation testing, quality assurance, and inspection.

1.3This specification does not cover Special Inspections or construction materials testing or inspection, or both. See Specification E329 for these items.

1.4The criteria presented herein are divided into three categories of endeavor, namely,

Part A—Standards and Criteria for Testing Agencies

Part B—Standards and Criteria for Quality Assurance Agencies

Part C—Standards and Criteria for Evaluating Agencies

1.5The fundamental purpose of this specification is to provide criteria for evaluating an agency as denoted in 1.4 either by a user of that service or by an accrediting authority.

1.6It is not the purpose of this specification to provide a basis for determining the quality of a product or service being evaluated.

1.7This specification is not intended for the evaluation of those activities normally associated with the production and sale of products and the like, such as a manufacturer's internal quality program. However, any organization may request or perform an evaluation of its own in-house facilities under this specification if it so desires.

1.8It is not the intent of this specification to be the basis for the determination of the type of agency to be selected by the user.

1.9This specification is used in conjunction with Specification E541 and Practice E651/E651M.

1.10The use of SI or inch – pound units, or combination of, will be the responsibility of the technical committees referred to in this standard.